Educators, future educators chosen for awards

The College of Education has chosen the Distinguished Service Administrator and the Distinguished Service Teacher award recipients for Fall 2017 during the College of Education Recognition Ceremony next week.

The ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 11, in the Linda and Lee Scott Performance Hall of theBicknell Family Center for the Artson the campus at Pittsburg State University.

TheCollege of Education Distinguished Service Awardis given to outstanding administrators or educators whose career has been highlighted by significant achievement and excellence in education.

This year'sadministrator award will be presented to Jason Walker,principal and athletic director at Baxter Springs Middle School in Baxter Springs, Kansas. Walker earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from PSU, graduating in 1997, followed by his Master of Science in Education Leadership in 2001and hisEducational Specialist degree in 2016.

"I chose education as a career because I wanted to share my love of science with young people," he said.

He spentseven years teaching middle school science in Chanute, Kansas, then two years as the assistant principal at Iola High School. He joined the Baxter School District10 years ago.

"I'm just amazed and very humbled," Walker said of the award. "This is a true reflection of our school building here at Baxter — it's a building-wide award. A team effort. You can't do it by yourself. I have a great team of professionals."

The teacher award will be presented to Steve Davidson, math teacherat Lakin High School in Lakin, Kansas. Davidson graduated from Labette County High School in Altamont, Kansas, in 1981, and earnedhis Bachelor of Science degree in education from Pittsburg State University in December 1987.

He is now in his 30th year in teaching at Lakin, where he also has served as thehead volleyballfor 27 yearsand head baseball coachfor aprogramhe founded25 years ago.

"It's been rewarding," Davidson said of his career in education. "To be a good coach, youhave tobe a good teacher — and there'sno doubt in my mind that the coaching part alsohelps outin the classroom. They both go together."

Davidson was surprised to receive the award, he said.

"I'm not a real vocal person – not after big headlines. I'd rather take care of things behind the scenes," saidDavidson, who now is teaching children of former students. "But I was very honored and excited. One of the most rewarding thing has been gettingtexts andemails from all over the state from peopleI knew a long time ago who heard the news and wanted to say congratulations."

Alsoduring Monday's ceremony, student teachers from the Fall 2017 semester will be recognized.

Two of them will receive special recognition as the2017 Fall Teachers of Promise. Those studentsare Matthew Hermann, an English education major from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Grace Koehler, an elementary education major from Overland Park, Kansas.